Wife Plots Husband’s Murder in Meghalaya, Four Arrested

Shillong: What began as a honeymoon in Meghalaya ended in a cold-blooded murder, as 30-year-old Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead in a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls, days after going missing. The latest autopsy report confirms Raja sustained two sharp head injuries, believed to be inflicted with a machete — the suspected murder weapon recovered at the scene. Raja and his wife Sonam had traveled to Cherrapunjee on May 23, shortly after their marriage. They were last seen checking out of a homestay in Nongriat. Their rented scooter was later found abandoned near Sohrarim. Ten days later, Raja’s body was discovered. In a stunning development, police revealed that Sonam orchestrated the murder, hiring three men — Vishal Chauhan, Raj Kushwaha, and Akash Rajput — to kill her husband.

All three have been arrested and confessed to the crime. Sonam, who had been absconding, was arrested early Monday morning in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after she contacted her family from a roadside eatery. “Our team has reached Ghazipur to formally arrest Sonam and obtain her transit remand,” said SIT Chief Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, who is leading the investigation. “She will be brought to Shillong for further interrogation.” According to Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, her son was hesitant about the honeymoon trip and only agreed after Sonam insisted and booked their tickets. Notably, no return ticket had been booked. A local guide reported seeing the couple trekking with three unknown men, adding a crucial link to the timeline. Meghalaya Police confirmed that further investigation is underway, and additional arrests have not been ruled out.